Walter Edward Leatherwood

Walter Edward Leatherwood, a lifelong resident of Denton County, passed away on April 14, 2026, of natural causes. He was born to Elijah Franklin Leatherwood and Geneva Kelly Leatherwood at the family home on August 27, 1937. Walter’s father tragically died of tetanus when Walter was 2 ½ years old.

As a young boy, Walter was drawn to outdoor activities and good-natured jokes. He had a passion for fishing, which he enjoyed for most of life, and shared his hobby with his children, some reluctantly, and granddaughters. During his school years, upon occasion he would spend the day fishing at Oscar Robertson’s pond instead of attending class.

Walter attended school in both Lewisville and Denton, and he spent his latter school years at North Texas Lab School and Denton High School until 1955. On June 2, 1956, he married his high school sweetheart, Betty Ann Robertson, and children followed soon after. After high school, Walter worked at General Dynamics and then Bell Helicopter from which he retired in 1982 to devote his time to his farming, gravel, and real estate businesses. He developed 75 acres in South Denton on Leatherwood Lane that included Cedar Creek Mobile Home Park. Walter was a generous, hard-working man with a gruff demeanor at times and always a kind heart – he loved his family and the Lord. He and Betty made time for family trips to Sandy Lake Amusement Park, Paw Paw Creek at Lake Texhoma, and Six Flags, where he told his gullible kids each year that they were either going to the doctor for vaccinations or to a cow sale to buy a bull. Bull was right, as his sense of humor was a large part of his personality, a defining trait that he passed on to his children and granddaughters, for better or worse. He worked the 145-acre farm that he called home for 62 years with Betty, parents-in-law, children, and sons-in-law. Walter and Betty, aka Paw Paw and Manny, built a wonderful lifetime of memories with friends and family – their children, granddaughters, and great grandchildren enjoyed the farm with everything from bicycles, horses, motorcyles, and go-carts (with strategic cow pie maneuverings). An added entertainment for some grandkids was being towed behind Paw Paw’s tractor in an untrailered fishing boat through the pastures – truly a sight to behold. The exploration, games, and adventures that 145 acres and kids’ imaginations could offer, along with Manny and Paw Paw’s loving presence, were priceless.

Walter was preceded in death by his parents, Elijah F. Leatherwood and Geneva Kelly Pruitt (Clarence), his two younger brothers, Robert “Bob” F. Leatherwood and Fred “Freddie” K. Lester, his parents-in-law, Jack and Ruby Robertson, a granddaughter, Hannah Leatherwood, and many other dear family and friends who rejoiced at his arrival in heaven.

Walter is survived by his beloved wife and caregiver of 70 years, Betty Leatherwood, their four children Michael Leatherwood, Lorrie Kurrus (David), Lisa Galvin (Dan), and Mark Leatherwood (April), and nine granddaughters, Sarah Leatherwood Bauer (Matt), Katy Alley (Elford), Annie Brown (Andrew), Julie Hamilton (Blake), Bonnie Serra (Richard), Dixie Sonnier (Trevin), Chayne Bauer (Austin), Ella Rios (Jose), Megan Galvin, Ryleigh Leatherwood, and Kinley Leatherwood, and 23 great grandchildren Henrik, Annika, Kira, Evie, Ruby, Lucy, Everly, Everett, Eloise, Ethel, Jude, Rory, Adeline, Rosalie, Beau, Loretta, Norah, Emilia, Luke, Logan, Liam, and soon to arrive, Josephine and Elijah. Paw Paw was well-loved, and he loved well. We miss you dearly and love you a hundred bushels.

The family would like to extend their heartfelt appreciation to Three Oaks Hospice staff with special thanks to Melynda Mears, Lorrie Falcone, Luis Gomez, and Chaplain Om Chowritmootoo for their kindness, support, and care to Walter and his family.

John 3:15 – 16

John 14: 1 – 3

Psalms 23

Matthew 6: 9 – 13

2 Corinthians 5: 7-8

I Thessalonian 4:13 - 14